For Zoom founder and CEO Eric Yuan, the traditional idea of work-life balance has become obsolete. In a candid conversation on the Grit podcast, Yuan revealed that he’s completely dedicated his time to two things: his company and his family. “Work is life, life is work,” he said, highlighting how the boundaries between personal time and professional responsibilities have almost disappeared.
But Yuan, father of three Gen Z children, clarified there’s one exception to his relentless work ethic: family. “Whenever there’s a conflict, guess what? Family first. That’s it,” he stated.
Zoom, the platform that redefined remote work, surged to global prominence during the pandemic, growing from 10 million users to over 350 million. But this success has come with new complexities. As Zoom enabled people to work from anywhere, it also dissolved the division between office and home life.
Despite steering a $20 billion company, Yuan admits he has no personal hobbies. “It’s just Zoom and family now,” he said. However, he joins a growing list of leaders—like Barack Obama and LinkedIn’s Reid Hoffman—who’ve publicly acknowledged that true work-life balance is difficult to attain when leading at the highest levels.
Yuan is also deeply concerned about the future workforce, especially Gen Z. He pointed out that even highly skilled graduates, like those in computer science, are struggling to find jobs. “It’s not that easy to find a job anymore. That’s crazy,” he remarked.
Still, Yuan offers advice for navigating this AI-dominated future: stay focused, enjoy the journey, and begin familiarizing yourself with AI now. “Mentally, get yourself ready, gradually,” he advised.
Looking ahead, Yuan is hopeful that the burden of long workweeks may be eased by AI. He envisions a future where digital agents could help reduce the need for five-day workweeks—possibly even trimming it down to just two days. His prediction aligns with other tech leaders like Bill Gates, who believes AI could replace humans in most routine tasks.
Zoom’s own story reflects the highs and lows of modern tech evolution. Once valued at $160 billion during its pandemic peak, the company’s current market cap has settled around $20 billion amidst a return-to-office movement.
While Yuan’s philosophy may not fit everyone, his message is clear: intense focus may fuel success—but never at the cost of family.
